Center for Professional Responsibility - Lead Senior Counsel

American Bar Association • Chicago, IL

54d • Hybrid

About The Position

The American Bar Association (ABA) was founded on a commitment to advance the rule of law in the United States and beyond by providing practical resources for legal professionals, conducting law school accreditation, developing model ethics codes and more. Today, the ABA remains a member-based organization that works to ensure access to justice for all, a fair legal process, and respect for the rule of law at home and across the globe. The ABA is committed to service and refining the standards that guide the legal profession. ABA staff are provided multiple types of continuing education and career development opportunities. Your work will help eliminate bias, enhance diversity, and advance the rule of law throughout the US and around the world. The ABA recognizes the value staff contribute to our success through a generous benefits package that protects their health and their financial security. The ABA’s wide array of benefit offerings include 401(k), medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health spending accounts, supplemental life and disability insurance, prepaid legal programs, and a complimentary membership to the American Bar Association, which offers additional benefits. Flexible/hybrid work arrangements may be available for residents of CA, DC, IL, IN, IA, MD, MI, MN, TX, VA, and WI. Residency requirements may apply. ABA employees are eligible to apply for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). Job Summary/General Purpose of Job Serves as primary legal counsel and provides legal policy guidance to ABA entities and exercises department management duties within Division. Serves as national legal expert in the field of legal and judicial ethics and professional responsibility law. Provides expertise to ABA governance, ABA entities, state, local, national and international legal community. Develops controlling legal policy and substantive legal resources to ensure and enhance the Association’s continued status as the preeminent leader and legal authority in professional responsibility law.

Requirements

• Possession of a Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• A minimum of twelve years of significant professional legal experience in legal policy development, advocacy and scholarship for an organizational entity involved in professional regulation; with willingness to develop additional expertise in relevant subject-matters.
• Well-developed and demonstrated skills in supervising professionals, editing on a peer basis, and interacting with leaders of the profession.
• Proficiency in Word, Adobe products, PowerPoint, and Excel required.
• Member in good standing in possession of an active license to practice law in the State of Illinois, or eligible to obtain admission in Illinois via Illinois Supreme Court Rule 705 Admission on Motion.

Nice To Haves

• Significant knowledge of professional responsibility law is preferred. Knowledge of professional associations with experience in organizational and program development is a plus.
• Public speaking experience a plus. The lawyer in this position must be able to work both independently and in a collaborative team environment.

Responsibilities

• Provides legal expertise and policy guidance to ABA governance and ABA entities in developing, interpreting, and implementing the nation’s legal policy governing the regulation of the legal profession and judiciary.
• Conducts legal research and provides critical legal analysis and expertise to the state and federal judiciaries and regulatory entities, and to state, federal and international government agencies and organizations regarding the interpretation and implementation of the Association’s legal policies governing the legal profession and the judiciary.
• Develops substantive legal resources to ensure and enhance the Association’s continued status as the preeminent legal authority in legal and judicial ethics, professional responsibility law and professional regulation. Independent research and writing are basic to the position, including articles on professional responsibility for publications.
• Provides legal expertise and analysis to lawyers, judges, the public, and media in response to voluminous inquiries through scholarly publications, periodicals, reports, consultations, and legal research services.
• Serves as primary legal counsel and provides legal policy guidance to ABA entities and related organizations and agencies in the field of professional responsibility.
• Oversee departmental legal policy, projects, program planning and execution and lead strategic planning in their area of coverage.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• medical
• dental
• vision
• flexible spending accounts
• health spending accounts
• supplemental life and disability insurance
• prepaid legal programs
• a complimentary membership to the American Bar Association, which offers additional benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree